Shock absorbing insert for the comb of a shotgun or rifle



May 3, 1966 L. B-ALDOCK 3,248,818

SHOCK ABSORBING INSERT FOR THE COMB OF A SHOTGUN 0R RIFLE Filed March 5. 1965 INVENTOR Lee Ba/dock BY Mama/1W ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,248,818 SHOCK ABSORBING INSERT FOR THE COMB OF A SHOTGUN 0R RIFLE Lee Baldock, P.O. Box 714, Woodland, Calif. Filed Mar. 5, 1965, Ser. No. 437,361 1 Claim. (CI. 42-71) This invention relates to an improvement in a firearm such as a shotgun or rifle, and is directed particularly to the construction of the stock thereof.

When such a firearm is held in a firing position against the shoulder and with the stock of the firearm against the face of the shooter, there is a tendency for the stock to thrust upwardly with the recoil action as a shot is fired. A hurried or off-balance shot sometimes resultsdue to this upthrust-in a bruised cheekbone or jawbone, with resultant flinching and poor shooting on the part of the shooter.

It is, therefore, the major object of this invention to provide the gun stock with a novel, shock absorbing cushion pad; the latter being mounted on the comb in a manner to prevent such comb from imparting a sting or bruise to the face of the shooter when a shot is fired and the recoil action thrusts the stock upwardly as explained above.

Another important object of the invention is to mount the cushion pad on the comb in such a manner that it becomes in effect an integral part of the stock, and thus presents a neat and attractive appearance. Also the pad is so arranged that its maximum depth of shock absorbing area is positioned where it is most needed.

A further object of the invention is to provide a shock absorbing insert, as above, which is designed for ease and economy of production and installation.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a practical, reliable, and durable shock absorbing insert which is exceedingly effective for the purpose for which it is designed.

These objects are accomplished by means of such structure and relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the stock of a shotgun or rifle, showing the improved shock absorbing insert mounted thereon.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the stock as initially prepared for the reception of the insert.

FIG. 3 is a cross section on line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings and to the characters of reference marked thereon, the gun stock 1 is of conventional form and includes a comb 2 along its upper edge portion, and a cushion shoulder pad 3 on its rear end.

The comb 2, forwardly from a point a shorter distance ahead of the shoulder pad 3, is formed with a longitudinally extending recess or cavity 4.

The recess 4 extends transversely for the full width of the comb and stock; the bottom surface 5 of said recess 4 being preferably fiat, crosswise, for the full length of the latter. Also, said bottom surface 5 is formed from end to end or lengthwise as a segment of a circle of rela- 3,248,818 Patented May 3, 1966 tively large radius which at its ends merges into the straight upper edge of the comb 2.

The recess 4 is filled by a shock absorbing pad 6 of cushion rubber or similar material. The top edge 7 of this pad 6 is straight and is parallel to and flush with the top edge of the comb 2, while the entire exposed surface of the pad is curved transversely so as to be flush with the normal curvature of said comb.

The shock absorbing pad 6 is firmly secured in the recess by a suitable type of permanent bonding material or adhesive as indicated at 8.

With the pad 6 mounted, as described, in the comb 2 of the gun stock 1, there is provided an effective shock absorber and face or cheek protector for the person holding the gun in a firing position against the shoulder.

The design of the shock absorbing pad 6 is such that it not only has a pleasing appearance but provides a maximum of functional value in that the greatest depth of shock absorbing area lies in close proximity to the shooters face.

From the foregoing description, it will be readily seen that there has been produced such a shock absorbing insert, for the comb of a shotgun or rifle, which substantially fulfills the objects of the invention, as set forth herein.

While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferred construction of such shock absorbing insert, still in practice such deviations from such detail may be resorted to as do not form a departure from the spirit of the invention, as defined by the appended claim.

Having thus described the invention, the following is claimed as new and useful and upon which Letters Patent is desired:

In a solid gun stock which includes a comb along its upper edge, the comb being formed with a top longitudinal recess therein intermediate the ends thereof, a shock absorbing cushion pad filling the recess, and means securing the pad in said recess; the bottom of the recess being concavely curved from end to end, and said bottom curvature being continuous and flat transversely of the stock from side to side thereof, and having a constant relatively large radius of curvature from end to end and extending to a termination at its ends at the top edge of the comb.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 616,424 12/ 1898 Rowley 42-71 717,011 12/1902 Marsland et al 42-71 856,507 6/1907 Alves 42-71 1,222,291 4/ 1917 Huntley 42-71 2,468,349 4/ 1949 Stewart 42-74 2,669,051 2/1954 Cline 42-71 FOREIGN PATENTS 100,274 12/ 1898 Germany.

8,922 1886 Great Britain. 10,379 1889 Great Britain. 951,030 3/ 1964 Great Britain.

BENJAMIN A. BORCHELT, Primary Exam 

